Sullivan's Foods in Harvard to reopen as Cash Saver

The store will reopen as Cash Saver on Friday. The remodeled store will have a similar layout, the same employees, and the same owners, but shoppers will find many "exciting changes," said Kathy Christensen, vice president of human resources for Savanna-based Sullivan's Foods, a regional chain with 12 locations.

"Customers are going to be shocked by the prices, that's something they'll notice," she said.

Employees are putting up new signs, price tags, and other features at the store this week. It will remain at its existing location, 1299 S. Division St. The Sullivan's Foods sign came down Monday.

The Harvard store, which was purchased by Sullivan's Foods in 1994, has changed with the city's economy. It expanded when Motorola moved to town and downsized when Motorola left. The latest changes are designed to keep grocery store competitive.

"The biggest challenge for independent stores has been battling Wal-Mart," Christensen said. "We're going to give them a very good fight by selling national brands at cheap, cheap prices."

After researching other chains, company executives felt the Cash Saver format would "fit the needs of the Harvard community," Christensen said.

Among other changes, the store will sell some products in larger quantities. Christensen said the store would continue to sell quality meats and other items.

All of the Sullivan's Foods employees were kept on and some new employees were hired, Christensen said.

Cash Saver will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Christensen said she hopes to see a strong turnout when the store reopens Friday.